Eng. Championship
2013-05-13 - Brighton vs Crystal Palace
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship Play Off
Monday 13 May 2013 - Kick Off 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
Brighton
Gus Poyet was a little disappointed his Brighton side haven't brought in a lead from the first leg of this Play Off Semi Final, but the fans will still be confident that the home side can see off their rivals on Monday night. There were a couple of big opportunities for Brighton in the first game last Friday, but a lack of composure kept the game goalless, although they would have been very happy with how they limited Crystal Palace for the most part.
Coming into the Championship Play Offs, Brighton were seen as the form side and they will look to back up that belief with another solid performance at home. The side have been tough to beat here all season as they compiled a 11-9-3 record while scoring 39 goals and conceding 17.
Brighton are unbeaten in their last 10 games thanks to the draw at Selhurst Park on Friday, while they are unbeaten in their last 9 games at home since a 2-3 loss to Arsenal in the FA Cup Fourth Round. Importantly, Brighton have won 6 of their last 9 games here and a repeat will see them book their place at Wembley for the Play Off Final and a chance to move into the Premier League.
There are no new injury worries for Gus Poyet to worry about.
Crystal Palace
For a long period this season, Crystal Palace were challenging for a place in the Premier League through one of the automatic top two places in the Championship. However, they have struggled badly down the stretch and only just sneaked into the Play Off spots, while the draw at home on Friday night makes their task that much tougher as they visit the south coast on Monday.
The side only finished 7 points behind Hull City in the second automatic promotion spot in the Championship, but Crystal Palace haven't been involved in that discussion for some time as they have struggled to put together wins. Palace will also have to reverse their away form for the season as they were only 6-7-10 on their travels while scoring 21 goals but conceding 31.
Brighton may have been the form team coming into the Play Offs, but Crystal Palace had been struggling down the stretch as they won just 1 of their last 11 games. Even that one win came on the last day thanks to two late goals in a 3-2 win over Peterborough United at Selhurst Park. Crystal Palace have won 1 of their last 16 away games in all competitions and they lost 7 of their last 12 on the road.
Ian Holloway's men suffered one big loss from the first leg and that is the injury to top scorer Glenn Murray.
Head to Head
Both teams had won their home game during the course of the season and both recorded 3-0 scorelines in those wins.
Crystal Palace had won on their previous 2 visits to Brighton before this season.
Prediction
The first leg may have finished goalless, but there were plenty of chances for Brighton and an early goal in this one would certainly change the feel of the game.
I think the layers have overreacted to the loss of Glenn Murray for Crystal Palace- while losing your top scorer is of course undesirable, Palace do have someone like Kevin Phillips that can pop up with a goal.
Like a lot of second legs in these knock out ties, I do think there can be goals in this one and the 2.25 being offered for at least 3 goals looks a touch high.
The Pick :
Brighton 2-1 Crystal Palace
